Question

What gets oxidized during glycolysis?

Answer 1

Glucose gets oxidized during glycolysis.

Explanation:

Glycolysis is a 10-step process in which 1 molecule of glucose is converted to 2 molecules of pyruvate.

`underbrace("C"_6"H"_12"O"_6)_color(red)("glucose") + "2NAD"^+ + "2HP"_i + "2ADP" → underbrace("2C"_3"H"_3"O"_3)_color(red)("pyruvate") + "2H"_2"O" + "2NADH" + "2H"^+ + "4ATP"`

The average oxidation number of C in glucose (`"C"_6"H"_12"O"_6`) is 0 and +1 in pyruvate (`"C"_3"H"_3"O"_3`), so glucose is oxidized.